LUMBEE NEWS

Class action settlement for American Indian farmers

            (March 2011) An information meeting for American Indian farmers was held on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 4 o’clock p.m. at Lyavans Lowry Farms located at 8879 US Highway 74 West in Pembroke, NC.

            The meeting was for American Indian farmers who were denied a farm loan or loan servicing by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The meeting addressed the settlement in KEEPSEAGLE v. VILSACK and explains the terms of the Settlement Agreement. The $760 million settlement has been reached with the USDA. This is a class action settlement and if you qualify as a class member you could receive a payment of up to $50,000 or more and forgiveness of some or all outstanding USDA loans.

            According to the settlement, the lawsuit claimed the USDA discriminated against American Indians by denying them equal access to credit in the USDA Farm Loan Program. The lawsuit claims that the USDA denied thousands of Native American farmers and ranchers the same opportunities to get farm loans or loan servicing that were given to other farmers and ranchers. Plaintiffs also claim that the USDA did not do outreach to Native American farmers and ranchers or provide them with the technical assistance they needed to prepare applications for loans and loan servicing.

            Lawyers for the American Indian Plaintiffs were on cite explaining the claims process and answered general questions. For more information on the settlement, please call 1-888-233-5506 or contact Doug Locklear at 910-522-5190.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE